Chapter 16 Cherry

　　“Crisis averted,” I said to Maisy, who was eyeing me with a knowing smile as I got off the phone. “Carl’s getting her.” 　　“Ooo, another dinner date with Carl,” my assistant said suggestively as she got to work on the dress. 　　I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile from spreading across my face again. As I prepped the necessary books for the interns, got out samples of material, and set my designs on the long white table we’d be working at, I felt my excitement growing about Carl and the future that was developing. 　　It was seven o’clock by the time I let myself into my apartment. The students had kept me until five, and then I’d had to check over the takings for my store below before closing up for the evening. As I slipped off my heels in the hall, I felt a sigh of contentment as I stole barefoot down the hall and into the kitchen. 　　Two almost full dinner plates rested on the kitchen table, and I frowned. “Carl?” 　　Just then, Carl darted into the kitchen, wide-eyed, and his